Anyone had a PET scan

[pat]

Has anyone had a PET scan and if so was there any reaction to it?
Am asking because hospital say I need one but due to severe reaction 4yrs ago with an MRI I am reluctant to say the least. The alternative is a biopsy..some choice lol.

[tcmgpt13]

Hi, Pat, it's been good to see you here again lately. I am sorry to hear you are having some medical issues serious enough to warrant a biopsy if the PET scan cannot be done. It doesn't appear that the risk with this scan nuclear material is as high as some might be, but I am sure there are some exceptions as far as allergic reactions and other symptoms too as seen by comments from some other forums I will post here:

From Merck:

Risks

The amount of radiation used in a PET scan is low. It is about the same amount of radiation as in most CT scans. Also, the radiation doesn't last for very long in your body.

However, women who are pregnant or are breastfeeding should let their doctor know before having this test. Infants and babies developing in the womb are more sensitive to the effects of radiation because their organs are still growing.

It is possible, although very unlikely, to have an allergic reaction to the radioactive subtance. Some people have pain, redness, or swelling at the injection site.

PET scan

From a medical health test site:

PET Scan Reactions

• Allergic reaction to the tracer is rare.

• Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or breast-feeding.

• Some people may be subject to panic attacks in enclosed places

Positron Emission Tomography Scan - PET Scan, Reasons, Procedure and Preparation for Position Emission Tomography Scan

Comments about these tests from a cancer forum:

Pet Scan reaction

Total items found: 1

pkl54
Posts: 6
Joined: Jul 2009

July 1, 2009 - 8:23pm

Has anyone had or heard of a person having a reaction to a Pet Scan? My husband had the radioactive dye scan on 6/26/09 and hasn't felt well since. Chills, low grade fever and body aches. Thanks God Bless YOU All
‹Posts: 1
Joined: Jul 2009

July 31, 2009 - 3:21pm
PET Scan reaction

I had a PET Scan yesterday and I have felt awful since. I feel almost as beat down as being on chemo. Anyone else have a similar issue?

did your husband recover after a few more days?

Pet Scan reaction | Cancer Survivors Network

Another forum:

09-15-2007, 07:25 PM
stellina
Hyster Sister

Hysterectomy: October 23rd, 2007
odd reaction to the PET scan

Did anyone else have an odd reaction to the PET scan? I was very tired, nausious, and dizzy within an hour of the procedure;today I have "blind pimple like" sores on my face, back and other random places. Am I being paranoid or had anyone else had a reaction like this?
stellina

Old 09-15-2007, 08:18 PM
k9equinewhine
Hyster Sister

Hysterectomy: June 8th, 2004
odd reaction to the PET scan


I haven't heard of anyone having a reaction to a PET scan but anything is possible! I am wondering if it's more of a reaction to the stress involved w/all this testing and waiting?

I'd call the doc or the scan dept and ask them if they know of any reaction like yours.
in there!
xoxo
k9
k9equinewhine

Old 09-15-2007, 09:15 PM
vikingprincess
Hyster Sister

Hysterectomy: January 24th, 2007
odd reaction to the PET scan

Speakng only as someone who has a lot of allergies, it sounds like an allergic reaction to me. You should contact your doctor as soon as possible. It could be that you're allergic to one of the ingredients in the solution they use as contrast.

I know I have problems with the stuff they use for abdominal and pelvic CT scans.

Take care. Hugs.
vikingprincess

odd reaction to the PET scan - Cancer Concerns - GYN - HysterSisters

Not sure how pertinent this will be but here is a site which has a chart listing many of the nuclear materials used in modern medicine along with possible side effects (they mention that not all of it has been formally studied). Not sure what might be in the PET scan material. Perhaps you could ask and then do some deeper digging on google.

Adverse Reactions Table

I hope everything goes well for you and that you will not have anything serious going on.

tcmxxx

[pat]

Thanks TCM for the info much appreciated. Why I’m asking is given that awful reaction to the MRI which obviously stirred the morgs up I wondered if it would be the same (or worse) with a PET. Since that MRI reaction watches will not work on me at all. Weird. They found a shadow on lung a year ago.have had 2 scans and it had stayed the same size. Latest scan shows it has ‘changed’ and obviously increased in size but it is very small. They say it could be slow growing cancer so they want a PET scan doing. They need my answer tomorrow and one cannot back out if you agree as it costs £1000. Good job its free or I wouldn’t even be thinking about it-you could do a cruise around Norway for less than that! Someone is obviously making a bundle of cash from the NHS…but that’s the name of the game.
Other option is a needle biopsy where they seem to collapse lungs on a fairly regular basis so I don’t much fancy that either. May just be time to say thanks but no thanks.
It seems some in US have had reactions to it but no one in the UK has. Or so they say…….LOL

[Gator]

Hi Pat, I have been meaning to tell you: I love your signature line. I am so sorrry you are facing this problem.

I have Multiple Chemical Sensitivity, Environmental Illness/TILT, RADS and super severe allergies. This surfaced after much dental work, and after being sprayed with a chemical cocktail some years ago, I had MRI's of brain, without contrast. They told me the picture would not be as good as with contrast.I also had a PET Test without contrast . I don't remember any problems, but then again I was very ill from the chemical spray. Could you possibly get a sample of the dye and let someone muscle test you for it or have an allergist test you for it ? Be sure you are hydraated before testing. May be beneficial.

Maybe you could discuss itmore thoroughly with the Doc, and make sure they have an antidote for it. I have been and still am so chemically sick that I am afraid of any kind of shot or test requiring dye. Believe me the medical field here does not understand chemical sensitivities and most won't believe you if you try to tell them. Like Morgs, it doesn't exist, so they still want to use the dye. I have to tell them no way it is my body and I will decide what I will or won't allow anyone to do with it.

I reread your post and had second thoughts. Because of your severe reaction with the MRI I would guess you are most likely allergic to the dye. Is it possible they could use a different dye? I will be praying for healing for you.

Good Luck. I care about you.

[lamb]

I agree Gator, the dye is a catalyst. They can read the scan without it.

[pat]

Thanks for your reply gator yes the signature line aint that the truth! lol
Well the MRI I had did not have the dye.It was a straightforward one or supposed to be. Almost at end of it I thought i was being cremated, heat came up through my body like you would not believe and I was wiped out for 3 weeks.In fact I ended up in CCU as they thought I had had another heart attack. It was something to do with the magnet I reckon & am sure it kicked the morgs into orbit in my body. So I know where you are coming from gator with your probs.
They have done 2 ordinary scans in last year on the lung and there was no change.But there is now & they dont know what it is so need a PET to determine. Nothing shows up in my blood & they did a bronchoscopy a few months ago washed out the lungs and didn't find anything in the stuff they sent to lab. I reckon it'll be mycoplasma or similar given all the mold fungus stuff here.
I am pretty confused at the mo,they ring you up out of the blue,drop this on you and expect you can give an answer immediately. Well I can't ...needs some thinking about does this.And yes I will ask if they have any sort of antidote if it goes wrong.